QB's that are on the hot seat going into 2006

[Gryphon]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mul...content.5.html

1. Jake Plummer- Broncos
He had a strong 2005 season but couldn't get the job done against the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game. Although he's clearly No. 1, there are whispers that the team isn't thrilled with him and that first-round pick Jay Cutler is the future of the franchise. If the Broncos struggle, they may turn to the future sooner than expected.

2. Aaron Brooks- Raiders
He has the added pressure of dealing with the wrath of Randy Moss if the Raiders' offense doesn't click, and management is eager to give youngsters Marques Tuiasosopo and Andrew Walter a shot. The Raiders haven't officially handed the starting job over to Brooks, but they will, even though he'll have a very short leash.

3. Kurt Warner- Cardinals
He has serious weapons around him, so Arizona's offense will be expected to produce immediately. The Cardinals added running back Edgerrin James to join talented young receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Arizona also drafted Matt Leinart with the No. 10 pick, and many experts considered him the most NFL-ready quarterback in the draft.

4. Rex Grossman- Bears
Assuming he can stay healthy, Grossman will be the Bears' starter, but he'll have to hold off Brian Griese and, to a lesser extent, Kyle Orton. Grossman has shown flashes when he's healthy, but he struggled against the Panthers in the NFC Championship Game and hasn't proven he can be a consistent starter. Griese is one of those quarterbacks you forget about, and suddenly he comes out of nowhere with an excellent season.

5. Mark Brunell- Commanders
He was solid last year, but he's going to have more pressure this year as expectations rise. The Skins' defense is strong and the team has a strong running game with Clinton Portis. If Brunell gets off to a slow start, coach Joe Gibbs may turn to last year's first-round pick, Jason Campbell.

6. David Carr- Texans
The Texans easily could have drafted a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick and not paid Carr an $8 million bonus, but management thinks he has more talent than he's shown in his four-year career. The top pick in the 2002 draft, Carr hasn't developed any level of consistency. If the QB can get it going quickly under new coach Gary Kubiak, the Texans will be in business.

7. Byron Leftwich- Jaguars
Everyone knows about his toughness. But questions remain about the fourth-year quarterback's effectiveness. His numbers have been OK in Jacksonville, but he needs to take another step forward for the Jags to be a Super Bowl team. Backup David Garrard was 5-1 as a starter when Leftwich hurt an ankle last season and is considered by many to be good enough to start in the NFL.

8. Billy Volek- Titans
With Steve McNair out of the picture, Volek will get his shot at being a starter. The Titans drafted Vince Young with the No. 3 overall pick, so they clearly aren't convinced that Volek is their quarterback of the future. The Titans' coaching staff will have pressure from the public and the front office to get Young on the field the second Volek stumbles.

 

[lspain1]

Interesting list that is correct on every guy. I actually think Brunell is the safest guy on the list barring an injury. The Commanders will have to fall far before Gibbs will pull that particular trigger.

 

[Star Struck]

There's a couple that could possibly move around, but the list is basically dead on. Eyes will be on every one of these guys...

 

[ghst187]

1. Jake Plummer- Broncos
He's here for good reason, he's a tease that will always choke in the clutch. Shanahan did a good job of reigning him in for most of the season but Pitt loaded up on the run and forced Plummer to try to beat them....exposed once again!

2. Aaron Brooks- Raiders
Can't believe someone is giving him a chance to start. More of a tease than Plummer. Looks great on one pass, horrible the next 3.

3. Kurt Warner- Cardinals
This guy is done, stick a fork in him. Can't believe Green is sticking with him. Warner should strictly be a back up at this point.

4. Rex Grossman- Bears
Is there really any difference between any of the QBs on the Bears' roster? They are all yawners that aren't going to get them any W's in the playoffs.

5. Mark Brunell- Commanders
I think this guy is the best on this list. He can still be pretty deadly accurate. He looked worn out by the end of the season but he has just enough motor in his legs still to concern you about his running and still has plenty of arm strength left. I think Wash will be making a huge mistake if they play Campbell over Brunell.

6. David Carr- Texans
I don't think Carr is all that bad. Hard to look decent with no OL.

7. Byron Leftwich- Jaguars
Everyone knows about his toughness.
Toughness? I think Leftwich is getting the same "tough" label that McNair got, and I think it was very overstated. Is a guy "tough" when he gets injured on every other play then comes back and plays anyway? Maybe they are weak and the injuries aren't that bad? I get kind of sick of hearing how tough a guy is when he's CONSTANTLY injured. I'm suspicious. Maybe they are legit but maybe they are crying about injuries that other guys are quietly playing though. Nonetheless, Leftwich is certainly a dynamo when he healthy and sitting back in the pocket, but he'll probably never play a full 16 game season and will continually break Jacksonville's heart for that reason.

8. Billy Volek- Titans
Volek is a solid safety net. I don't think he's going to be the next Delhomme but nice and comforting to have as a backup. The Titans are going to be garbage this year and next anyway so I think they may ruin VY if they play him too early. But then again, I think VY will excel in running an offense that breaks down on nearly every play and he has to improvise. I don't think VY is going to do that well in the pocket.

 

[burmafrd]

If you had seen that game in college where Leftwich played with what turned out to be a broken bone in his leg, you would not question his toughness. He was CARRIED to the huddle down the field by his O line. He could not walk for more than a couple of steps. It was just about the gutsiest play I have ever seen.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Surprisingly a pretty good list from SI.

 

[jimmy40]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mul...content.5.html


6. David Carr- Texans
The Texans easily could have drafted a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick and not paid Carr an $8 million bonus, but management thinks he has more talent than he's shown in his four-year career. The top pick in the 2002 draft, Carr hasn't developed any level of consistency. If the QB can get it going quickly under new coach Gary Kubiak, the Texans will be in business.

You don't pass on Bush/Young/Leinart and pay Carr an $8 million bonus and have Carr on a short leash. That's just stupid. Who are they going to replace him with? Carr's name is set in stone now.

 

[BlueWave]

If you had seen that game in college where Leftwich played with what turned out to be a broken bone in his leg, you would not question his toughness. He was CARRIED to the huddle down the field by his O line. He could not walk for more than a couple of steps. It was just about the gutsiest play I have ever seen.

He was trying to win the Heisman Trophy. Funny how he had no problem moving around once the ball was snapped.

 

[burmafrd]

He had no chance at the Heisman and everyone knew it. I guess you want to find a reason to rag on him but that day watching that game was something I will not forget. He was in tremendous pain every step he took. ONce the ball was snapped he would do what he had to. Once the play ended you could see it on his face. Add to that the coach wanted him out of the game but he keep pleading to stay in.

 

[burmafrd]

Carr could be a good QB if they ever get around to putting together a line that will give him some protection. I find it incredibly hard to believe how LITTLE effort they had put in to get a good O line. We have not done all that well but we have tried a whole lot harder.

 

[BlueWave]

He had no chance at the Heisman and everyone knew it. I guess you want to find a reason to rag on him but that day watching that game was something I will not forget. He was in tremendous pain every step he took. ONce the ball was snapped he would do what he had to. Once the play ended you could see it on his face. Add to that the coach wanted him out of the game but he keep pleading to stay in.

All the drama I can take.

 

[burmafrd]

blue, if you want to be down on Leftwich thats fine. BUT you have nothing if you try and run him down about that game.

 

[ghst187]

If you had seen that game in college where Leftwich played with what turned out to be a broken bone in his leg, you would not question his toughness. He was CARRIED to the huddle down the field by his O line. He could not walk for more than a couple of steps. It was just about the gutsiest play I have ever seen.

I saw that game, I was impressed at the time. I've always loved his downfield game, he can throw some precision passes. And not knowing all that much about him, thought it was awesome playing on a broken leg.
However, I haven't hardly seen him play a game since because it's been one injury after another after another......just like McNair.
Both are immensely talented guys who are a lot of fun to watch, but both only play about 8-10 games a year. It almost makes it "not worth it" to the team to keep the guy around no matter how talented he is. The Titans probably didn't want McNair to even walk in the front gate because they thought he would get injured and then they couldn't release him...

Sure, football is a collision sport, but the only player who gets less contact than a QB is a K or Punter. Why do these guys get hurt every 2-3 games? They are either some of the unluckiest guys in the league or or else its a little suspicious. Injuries also happen when a guy is out of shape or overweight. I think McNair played at about 268 one year. That's probably a bit heavy. Can't say that weight is the problem but both those guys are heavyweights and PERHAPS that hasn't helped.
Furthermore, I just think its hard to call a guy "tough" when he's consistently unable to play 5-8 games per year.

 

[burmafrd]

Leftwich has had three seasons: he has played in 15 games his first,14 his second and 11 his third. Not a good trend. 6-5 245; so he is not over weight. Got big bones. Seems to be in shape. However the rag on him about not playing a full season is a little slim- last year was the first when he got a serious injury. His rating has gone up each year; his INT's have gone down.
I think you can be tough and injury prone at the same time; not hard to imagine. Got a trick knee, ankle, etc. Hamstrings that keep pulling - that can happen but the guy can be tough and still play through it mostly. No one has questioned Leftwich's willingness to play through pain (unlike Rogers) and grit it out while in the game. I was one of those that badly wanted the Boys to take Leftwich instead of Newman. Of course with the state of our O line the last few years....

 

[MONT17]

why is it when a QB takes a lot of sacks its automaticly the OL!!! Maybe Carr should learn what a HOT ROUTE or 2 or call an audible every now and again!!! 8 million SB is not much with the new CBA it may have bought him this year but if he sux and they have a chance to get a QB no way will KUBIAK pass on a QB like QUINN or STANTON!!!

Looks like the Raiders/Texans should win the Brady Quinn SWEEPSTAKES!!!

 

[Big Country]

He was trying to win the Heisman Trophy. Funny how he had no problem moving around once the ball was snapped.

I always thought Leftwich did have a flair for the dramatic...

 

[CrazyCowboy]

good read.......

 

[5Stars]

The only QB that is on the "hot seat", at least to me, better be Bledsoe!

 

[Kangaroo]

Leftwich has had three seasons: he has played in 15 games his first,14 his second and 11 his third. Not a good trend. 6-5 245; so he is not over weight. Got big bones. Seems to be in shape. However the rag on him about not playing a full season is a little slim- last year was the first when he got a serious injury. His rating has gone up each year; his INT's have gone down.
I think you can be tough and injury prone at the same time; not hard to imagine. Got a trick knee, ankle, etc. Hamstrings that keep pulling - that can happen but the guy can be tough and still play through it mostly. No one has questioned Leftwich's willingness to play through pain (unlike Rogers) and grit it out while in the game. I was one of those that badly wanted the Boys to take Leftwich instead of Newman. Of course with the state of our O line the last few years....

Funny Aikman the QB everyone loves played a full 16 games 3 times out ofthe 12 years he paled. The 1st time was his 4th year. His 1st 3 years where 11 15 12.

 

[ghst187]

Funny Aikman the QB everyone loves played a full 16 games 3 times out ofthe 12 years he paled. The 1st time was his 4th year. His 1st 3 years where 11 15 12.

that's true, I will very willingly admit I was questioning whether or not Aikman was going to amount to anything and those questions were largely due to him not being on the field an awful lot his first few seasons.
I'm not saying Leftwich isn't talented. I love his game. He still could be a star.
I just hate how the media raves on and on about how tough he and McNair are when they are injured all the time. Even when they are playing someone is talking about how they have some injury that they are playing through and they are sooo tough yada yada yada (yawn). And like I was saying, QBs are some of the least hit players on the field... (save Vick)
We never hear about every little nick and bruise other players have and I'm sure they have plenty of aches and pains too.
Just saying I'm not giving McNair and Leftwich the "toughman" or "durability" titles. At this point in their careers, the word "injury" comes to most peoples' minds first when you mention McNair or Leftwich. I don't call that "tough" even though that's what the media keeps telling me about them.
JMO